Best Practices: Blanket and Chimney Drains Best Practices for SRW Design

Blanket and chimney drains are a great way to handle excess water in retaining wall applications.  They are primarily used If migrating subsurface water is on the site.  If site soils are used that do not have granular characteristics, a chimney and blanket drain should also be considered to ensure the infill mass stays as dry as possible. For a visual reference, see Allan Block Chimney and Blanket Drain detail.

Drain material should be consistent with wall rock material. For more information on wall rock material see Chapter2 Typical Wall Construction.  (ref. BP, Chapter 3.2)

Allan Block is working to achieve our industry initiative of Zero Wall Failures. With our Best Practices Manual and experience in the industry we are trying to expand the knowledge base for the design of segmental retaining walls (SRW's) by communicating and educating the professionals in the industry.  To see the full Best Practices Manual, visit allanblock.com to download today and keep an eye out for more industry Best Practice recommendations here.